Our instinct tells us to express rhythm. Just as children bob their heads to music and senior citizens tap their canes to the beat, dancing comes naturally to both young and old alike. Some form of social dancing has probably existed since the beginning of time, moving from ritualistic dancing to social interaction for pure enjoyment. Modern ballroom dancing has withstood the test of time and is now more popular than ever. Both American and International style ballroom dances are divided into the following categories:


Rhythm:
Bolero . Cha-Cha . E Coast Swing . W Coast Swing . Hustle . Lindy Hop . Mambo
Merengue . Polka . Rumba . Salsa . Samba . Two Step


Smooth:
Foxtrot . Tango . Viennese Waltz . Waltz

While most people think that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers created the Foxtrot, it was really a vaudeville performer named Harry Fox who introduced this fun, theatrical dance to the world. Foxtrot dancers travel around the perimeter of the room in a counterclockwise direction in a basic rhythm of slow-slow-quick-quick. Still a classic dance for wedding receptions, the Foxtrot is a true American favorite.

© Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Inc 2005